Cost-Effective Strategies for Creative Breakthroughs
Michelle Chenevert, the Director of Technology at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has shown remarkable adaptability in navigating technological challenges, including disasters and budget constraints.
In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, Baton Rouge was not directly hit by the storm, but Chenevert and her team quickly responded by setting up a night school and expanding computer and Wi-Fi access for displaced students from New Orleans. This initiative allowed these students to continue their education and maintain a sense of normalcy during a tumultuous time.
This experience taught Chenevert the importance of mobility and readiness to pivot quickly during crises, a lesson that has proven valuable in subsequent years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to her quick response to crises, Chenevert is also known for her creative resource management. She has managed to maximize technology investments on limited budgets, earning her recognition such as the Innovative Director of Technology Award at the Pre-ISTE Summit in San Antonio (Tech & Learning, 2025).
To ensure smooth operations, Chenevert maintains a strict schedule for the health and wellbeing of the school's technology. She also monitors usage of school devices to start conversations about their utility and to ensure they are not being underutilized.
Moreover, Chenevert runs access reports to discover unused devices or licenses and provides training to help educators make the most of technology. She recommends attending conferences, talking with vendors, and participating in mini trainings to stay up to date.
In 2016, a flood in Baton Rouge caused four buildings at the school to flood, and temporary classrooms were set up. During this time, Chenevert and her team worked overnight to ensure students could login and access the wifi to graduate.
Chenevert also emphasizes the importance of being aware of the remaining life of devices to avoid unexpected interruptions or expensive rush fees. She also stresses the need to stay on top of expiring back-end hardware to ensure proper functioning.
In terms of the school's technology setup, Chenevert uses a variety of tools including Aruba Cloud, Fortinet, Verkada, Gage Cloud Voice, JAMF, Microsoft Intune, Managed Methods, PowerSchool SIS, Canvas LMS, Seesaw, Clever, Adobe, Microsoft, Google, Discovery Education, BrainPop, EdPuzzle, Book Creator, Gimkit, IXL, Apple Classroom, Canva, Copilot, Gemini, Magic School, ClassVR.
Lastly, Chenevert suggests earning microcredentials for relevant software programs to help teachers in the classroom. She believes this approach can help teachers stay current and make the most of the technology resources available to them.
[1] Tech & Learning. (2025). Innovative Director of Technology Award goes to Michelle Chenevert. Retrieved from https://www.techlearning.com/news/14016825/innovative-director-of-technology-award-goes-to-michelle-chenevert
- Michelle Chenevert, the Director of Technology at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, successfully navigated technological challenges, including those arising from Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In response to Hurricane Katrina, Chenevert and her team set up a night school and expanded computer and Wi-Fi access for displaced students, enabling their education and a sense of normalcy in a difficult time.
- Chenevert's effective resource management has earned her recognition, such as the Innovative Director of Technology Award at the Pre-ISTE Summit in San Antonio in 2025.
- To ensure smooth operations, Chenevert maintains a strict schedule for the health and wellbeing of the school's technology, monitors usage of school devices, and provides training to help educators make the most of technology.
- Chenevert recommends staying updated by attending conferences, talking with vendors, and participating in mini trainings, and suggests earning microcredentials for relevant software programs to help teachers in the classroom.
- Chenevert uses a variety of tools including Aruba Cloud, Fortinet, Verkada, Gage Cloud Voice, JAMF, Microsoft Intune, Managed Methods, PowerSchool SIS, Canvas LMS, Seesaw, Clever, Adobe, Microsoft, Google, Discovery Education, BrainPop, EdPuzzle, Book Creator, Gimkit, IXL, Apple Classroom, Canva, Copilot, Gemini, Magic School, ClassVR in the school's technology setup.
